Omicron threat: Punjab imposes night curfew

Chandigarh, Jan 4: Amid surge in Covid-19 cases and Omicron threat, the Punjab government on Tuesday imposed night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM. "The district authorities are accordingly asked to issue prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC and ensure strict compliance," said the order. The restrictions will be imposed till January 15, 2022. According to the state government's order, bars, cinemas halls, malls, restaurants, spas will operate at 50% capacity. While gyms will remain shut. All schools and colleges, except medical and nursing colleges, have been closed. They have been directed to proceed with online teaching. Only fully vaccinated staff will be allowed to attend government and private offices, the state government said. It further said that wearing of masks by all persons in public places, including workplaces, will be mandatory and must be strictly enforced. Essential services, like operation of multiple shifts in industry and offices (both Government and private), movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and flights have been exempted form these curbs. Further, cinemas halls, multiplexes, malls, restaurants, spas, museums, zoos will operate at 50 per cent of their capacity subject to all staff present being fully vaccinated. The state government has further allowed district authorities to impose additional restrictions as deemed necessary "based on their assessment of the situation". They can't, though, dilute the curbs announced by the state government. Punjab reported 419 fresh Covid-19 cases and one death on Monday. This took the state's infection tally to 6,05,922, while the death toll reached 16,651, according to state government's medical bulletin.